Word Origin & History

eye O.E. ege (Mercian), eage (W. Saxon), from P.Gmc. *augon, from PIE *oqw- "to see" (cf. Skt. akshi "the eye, the number two," Gk. opsis "a sight," Goth. augo, O.C.S. oko, Lith. akis, L. oculus, Armenian aku). Until late 14c. the plural was in -an, hence modern dial. plural een, ene. The verb is first recorded 1560s. Related: Eyed; eyeing. The eye of a needle was in O.E.; to see eye to eye is from Isa. lii.8. Eye contact attested by 1965. Eye-opener "anything that informs and enlightens" is from 1863. Have an eye on "keep under supervision" is attested from early 15c.

Example Sentences for eying

"If you kep' at it long enough you might a-most learn to drive a horse," he continued, eying Bertie.

He paused in mid stride, eying the escaped serf up and down.

The driver, who had been eying these clouds for some little time, felt that he ought to speak if she did not.

Heres a quarter for you, observed West, eying the messenger.

"On the contrary," I returned, eying him steadily with a cool smile.

He stood a moment, eying the water as though it had done him personal injury.

"I didn't know you had company here," he observed frigidly, eying Scofield.

“What you want is a rawhide,” said McCloud, eying young Byram.

Billings took the glass mechanically from the tray tendered by Jenkins and sipped it slowly, eying me curiously over the top.

I looked at and examined it carefully,-she and James watching me, and Rab eying all three.